This September saw the release of the new '61' car registration plate and with it comes one of the busiest months of the year for car insurance quotes.

Gocompare.com estimates that it will carry out over 1.5 million car insurance comparisons for customers in September but its recent research suggests that thousands more drivers should be shopping around for their car insurance rather than staying loyal to one provider.

The study found that 70 per cent of consumers have used a comparison site to compare car insurance in the last 12 months with half of them (35 per cent) subsequently switching to get a better deal. However, 12 per cent of drivers have NEVER switched their car insurance provider and their misplaced loyalty could potentially be costing them hundreds of pounds every year. 

• Around 330,000* new cars will be registered in September on the new '61' plate
• Gocompare.com will provide over 1.5 million car insurance comparisons
• 70% of consumers have compared their car insurance in the last 12 months
• 35% have switched car insurance provider in the last 12 months
• 12% have NEVER switched their car insurance provider

Amazingly customers save, on average, £354.35** by comparing their renewal against deals offered by a range of competing insurers, but some have saved considerably more by shopping around.

However there is a warning drivers to look out for insurers trying to pass on eye watering premium hikes when you switch the car on your policy or when it's time to renew your old one. According to the most recent AA Insurance Premium Index*** drivers who took out a car insurance policy a year ago could be presented with premiums which are 30 per cent higher than they previously paid.

Tips for keeping your car insurance costs down 

1 - Shop around! It's the most important and easiest way to make a saving on your car insurance costs.

2 - Get the cover you need. If you don't need extras like a guaranteed courtesy car don't pay more for them.

3 - Consider adding an additional driver to the policy if they have a good no claims history. This could be especially useful for young drivers although don't be tempted to name them as the main driver if they're not. That's fraud and could invalidate your insurance.

4 - Consider paying a slightly higher excess to reduce your premiums. If you do make a claim it will mean you have to pay out a bigger proportion of the claim yourself, but if you have a claim free year you'll have saved.

5 - If you use your car infrequently opt for a lower mileage limit than the standard and it may bring your premium down. But don't say you'll drive 6,000 miles a year and then drive 20,000. If you have to make a claim and your insurers find you're doing considerably more miles than you declared they'd be within their rights to refuse to pay out.

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